NUFC Legend To Be Honoured

Mention the name, Joe Harvey, and the majority of Newcastle fans will say legend.

Whilst we don't disrespect the statues in place for former greats like Sir Bobby Robson and Jackie Milburn or the lavishly placed bar for Alan Shearer in the Gallowgate end of the ground, what has grated the gears is the lack of any praise for Harvey.

The last manager here to lift a trophy in 1969 as well as captain the team to 2 FA Cup triumphs in 1951 and 1952 in a playing/managing career spanning two spells totaling 21 years.

Fans, Bill Gibbs and Harry Watson, campaigned NUFC chiefs to help them realise their dream, wrote the local newspaper, The Evening Chronicle.

Bill Gibbs spoke of his delight on hearing that the club have agreed to honour Harvey with the fans giving a pair of Wembley winning shorts worn by ex-Newcastle star Vic Keeble in return, the last surviving player from the 1955 FA Cup glory team. "We are on such a high, we can`t believe that it`s happening. This is such a great day for us, it will sink in eventually.

"It was four years ago that I first had the dream to get a statue of Joe Harvey erected at St James Park to recognise the great work Joe did. It was under his management the club did its best.

"We had a meeting with John Irving and we were elated when he said yes.

"We have agreed on a plaque instead of a statue and it will be fitting for Joe. It will be put on a suitable site on the perimeter wall of the ground.

"The club has also given a substantial donation to the fund and, as a goodwill gesture, we gave the club Vic`s Wembley winning shorts which will be held in the trophy cabinet at St James` Park for future generations to see".